[DigitalToday reporter Chi-gyu Hwang (황치규 기자)] Apple on June 8 unveiled a next-generation AI voice assistant Siri, developed in cooperation with Google, at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).

TechCrunch reported it was a renewed attempt two years after Apple failed to deliver on a promise to launch Smart Siri.

The report said the new AI shifts from a voice assistant into a conversational AI platform like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. It will also be released as a standalone app.

Siri pulls the latest information from the web to answer questions and responds by referring to a user's device information and what is shown on the screen. It can also handle complex tasks.

It can draft messages or create detailed plans by combining information from the web, past emails, calendars and contacts.

The design also changes. Previously the screen border lit up when Siri was activated, but the new Siri appears with new animation in Dynamic Island. Users can swipe down from Dynamic Island to search or chat with Siri by typing.

A "Write with Siri" feature writes text in the Mail and Messages apps by reflecting how a user typically communicates. It can write in different tones for an email to a boss and a message to a friend.

Users can customise speaking speed and expressiveness, and dictation accuracy has improved.

On macOS, Siri is integrated into Spotlight and can be summoned instantly from anywhere. On watchOS, users can ask questions and run tasks directly on an Apple Watch.

There are limits for users of the new Siri. Apple software chief Craig Federighi said features that use powerful server models, such as image generation, will have daily usage caps. If users exceed the limit, they can increase it through a paid iCloud+ subscription.

Some advanced features work only on iPhones, iPads and Macs equipped with the latest chips. In the EU, Siri AI is not provided on iPhones and iPads from the start, and in China it cannot be used until regulatory requirements are met.

Apple shares fell more than 1.5 percent immediately after the announcement.